After mentoring young people through multiple Raise programs, Digital Learning Specialist and Raise mentor Rachael has seen first-hand the impact that early intervention can have on a young person's future.
Having volunteered with Raise since 2023 across face-to-face, remote and, more recently, Raise Digital mentoring, Rachael believes online mentoring is opening the door for even more young people to access meaningful support.
"Early, preventative mentoring like Raise Digital is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve long-term outcomes for young people by building confidence, emotional resilience and self-awareness before challenges escalate."
For Rachael, mentoring across different delivery models has highlighted just how powerful the digital program can be.
"Having the experience of mentoring across different Raise programs has given me a clear view of the significant opportunity and impact Raise Digital presents. It increases accessibility for young people who may otherwise face barriers to participation. By enabling mentees to connect from their own environment, the program reduces social pressure and creates a psychologically safe space. In my experience, this leads to faster trust-building, deeper engagement and more honest communication - all of which are critical to meaningful behavioural and emotional outcomes."
As a Digital Learning Specialist, Rachael also recognises the strength of the program's design.
"The online platform supports structured, consistent mentoring that helps young people make visible progress over time. Combined with the real-time support provided by Raise Program Managers, it creates a high standard of safeguarding for mentees while ensuring mentors are well supported throughout the program."
Rachael believes Raise's greatest strength is its focus on prevention rather than crisis response.
"Raise focuses on prevention rather than reaction: equipping young people with the skills, language, and confidence to navigate challenges before they escalate into more complex issues requiring intensive support. That's where the long-term value lies. By supporting young people at a critical stage in their development, the program helps reduce pressure on already stretched support systems while maintaining a high-quality mentoring experience."
Having worked directly with students across every mentoring format Raise offers, Rachael has witnessed the outcomes time and time again.
"I've consistently seen young people grow in confidence, emotional literacy and self-awareness. These are foundational skills that influence not only their engagement at school, but their future wellbeing and life outcomes."
It's also a program she wishes had existed when she was younger.
"I often reflect on how valuable this kind of support would have been during my own school years. The opportunity for a young person to feel seen, heard and supported without judgement is powerful and, in many cases, life-changing."
Rachael is proud to be part of the Raise community and hopes that continued support and funding will enable even more young people, in even more communities, to benefit from the life-changing impact of mentoring.
Know a young person who could benefit from free online mentoring? Apply here: Home - youth mentoring that changes lives
Interested in becoming a mentor? Find out more and apply here: Home - youth mentoring that changes lives
